Global Star Amara La Negra and Others Team Up: In Light of COVID19

Global Star and advocate Amara La Negra is known for taking a stand.  This time, it’s for her fellow African-Americans and Latinos during this COVID-19 crisis, ensuring they can get real information to keep them safe as underserved communities in this country continue to be disproportionately affected by this horrible outbreak.

Empower “U”, in partnership with Amara La Negra, Singer Pleasure P  and Dr. Darren Thorton of Empower “U” will launch a community educational campaign for African Americans and Latinos on COVID-19 tomorrow at noon at the Empower’s main location:  7900 NW 27^th Ave in Miami, FL. 

Both artists will visit a neighborhood community health center in Miami from 12:00 – 1:30 PM. Empower “U” services the hardest hit areas, such as Liberty City, which have the highest rate of COVID-19 in Miami-Dade County. They will speak with Empower “U”’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Darren Thornton, M.D. to discuss the challenges they face with the virus and their goal to educate communities that have underlining conditions in the importance of staying safe. Now that Scientist Rebekha Jones has been fired for refusing to manipulate data for the state of Florida, this story is more relevant than ever not just for Florida but for the U.S. with statistics being arguable wrong and up for debate.

With Florida being one of the first states to reopen, and Memorial Day being around the corner which brings in thousands of young adults to party on the beaches, Amara and Pleasure P decided to use their voices and platforms to encourage others to be safe. Other hip-hop artists from South Florida have joined the Miami Rise Campaign to disseminate social media messages encouraging residents to be safe, including Uncle Luke, Melky Jean and Shay. Celebrity chef Derrick Turton ,” Owner of House of Mac is donating lunch to healthcare workers on the front line.

Amara and Pleasure P are also releasing a single, “Whine”, a fun Caribbean-vibe song that will include a dance challenge to remind South Florida residents (and the country) of the importance of practicing safety-first by social distancing, handwashing, and wearing masks. A portion of the single’s proceeds will be going to benefit the Empower “U” Community Health Center. This will coincide with a  “Miami Rise Up Dance Challenge” on social media, with prizes to be announced. Inspiring while advocating.

About Empower “U”:

Empower “U” maintains a mission to empower, educate, and promote better health care choices among historically underserved minority communities disproportionately impacted by health disparities. Empower U’s first service was street outreach in areas to identify persons living with or at risk for HIV and bring them to care. In 2003, Empower “U” became a State of Florida HIV test site and began providing free, confidential HIV testing. In 2004, Empower “U” partnered with the CDC, providing HIV testing and prevention interventions. In 2014, Empower “U” became a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) to provide primary medical and HIV specialty care.

About Dr. Darren Thornton, M.D.:

A native of Lynchburg, Virginia. Dr. Thornton is a graduate of North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina. He received his Medical Degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Michigan in 2010. Upon graduating from medical school, he completed residency training at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital in 2013. After training, he joined the Broward Physician Group where he worked as a hospitalist and clinician. Duties included caring for patients with HIV, Sickle Cell disease, in addition to primary care. After leaving the Broward Physician Group, Dr. Thornton took a position with the Jessie Trice Community Health System as a clinician for several years until he accepted a leadership Position with Empower-“U” Community Health Center where he sees patients of all ages.